COLUMBIA - The Columbia teen charged with killing Bryan Rankin, Junior pleaded guilty Monday to second degree murder and armed criminal action. Lamarr Mayfield is the 15-year-old charged with killing 17-year-old Rankin, Jr. after a disturbance at a party in April, 2012.

Rankin's father, Brian Rankin Sr., said the fact that Mayfield pleaded guilty will help bring his family closure.

"We can move on," Rankin Sr. said. "The pain is always there, us not knowing why he did it and stuff like that, it just keeps that wound open. So when he finally manned up and said he did it and pleaded gulity to it, it gave us closure. It helps us move on."

Rankin Sr. said Monday is the day that he forgave Mayfield for what he had done.

Mayfield was sentenced to 17 years in prison. His trial was set to begin Tuesday. The judge presiding over the case decided to try Mayfield as an adult in August, 2012. Mayfield is represented by Janine Thompson of the Public Defender's Office.

Bryan Rankin and his brother Brandon were leaving a gathering near Keene Street early in the morning of April 7th, 2012. Police said as the two pulled away from the house, someone smashed the driver's side window and threw a punch at Bryan. Police said moments later, Rankin was shot.